GVSU vs. SAU

Should I go to Grand Valley State University or Spring Arbor University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if GVSU or SAU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Grand Valley State University vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
Grand Valley State University Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
Grand Valley State University
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Overview

 GVSU SAU
Location Allendale, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Large Suburban Small Suburban
Enrollment 21,648 2,396
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #583 #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gvsu.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 GVSU SAU
Tuition (In State) $13,952 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $19,856 $31,020
Room & Board $10,140 $10,652
Avg Net Price $17,105 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $8,811 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 99%

Admission

 GVSU SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,123 2,312
Admitted 15,474 1,094
Acceptance Rate 90.4% 47.3%
Enrolled % 25% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 20/26
SAT Range 960/1210 970/1135
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

 GVSU SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 GVSU SAU
Graduation Rate 63% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $258 $248

Diversity

 GVSU SAU
% Men 38% 23%
% Women 62% 77%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 83% 77%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 5%

Students

 GVSU SAU
% In-State 91% 83%
% Out-of-State 8% 13%

Campus

 GVSU SAU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than SAU based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 2,396 students)

GVSU vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GVSU or SAU?

  • Spring Arbor University is 122.3% more expensive to attend than GVSU for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $13,952.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 56.2% higher at SAU than Grand Valley State University ($31,020.00 vs. $19,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Grand Valley State University than SAU ($17,105 vs. $22,375)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 5% lower than costs at Spring Arbor University ($10,140 vs. $10,652)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Grand Valley State University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 134.7% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($20,677 vs. $8,811)

GVSU vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GVSU or SAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SAU or GVSU .

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 17 points higher than at SAU (1073)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at SAU (23)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at SAU (3.61)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than SAU (47.3%)

GVSU vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, GVSU or SAU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SAU and GVSU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Spring Arbor University (63% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $2,000 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $957 lower median federal student loan debt than GVSU graduates. ($24,043 vs. $25,000)
  • SAU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than GVSU graduates. ($248 vs. $258)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/